Often referred to as the “voice of solar energy in America,” Rhone is the architect of SEIA’s strategic priorities designed to achieve a 10 GW annual market in the U.S. by 2015. Today, clean, affordable solar energy is generating enough electricity to power more than 4.6 million homes – including the White House – and its popularity is continuing to grow, with 9 out of 10 Americans supporting an expanded use of solar nationwide.

As the head of SEIA – and the person responsible for all federal and state advocacy on behalf of the $17.8 billion U.S. solar energy industry – Rhone helped to create the 30 percent solar investment tax credit, the 1603 Treasury Program, and scores of other forward-looking federal and state policies that have allowed the solar industry to grow and prosper, while helping our nation to reduce its dangerous dependence on fossil fuels.

Known for having a finger on the pulse of Capitol Hill, Rhone has more than 20 years of experience in the public and private sector working on clean energy development and climate change issues. In addition to serving as vice president for the Natural Gas Supply Association, Rhone also served as program manager at the EPA's Climate Protection Division during the Clinton administration.

Rhone holds an M.P.A. in management from Syracuse University's Maxwell School, a Master of Environmental Engineering from SUNY Syracuse, and a B.A. from the University of Michigan. He lives in Washington, D.C., with his wife Lisa and two children in a solar-powered house that provides 93 percent of their electricity.

Sue Kelly serves on the Board of Trustees of the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC).  Prior to joining NERC, Kelly was president and CEO of the American Public Power Association (APPA) from 2014 - 2019.  Prior to becoming president and CEO, Kelly was APPA’s senior vice president, policy analysis and general counsel.  In that capacity, she helped APPA and its members in energy policy formulation and with policy advocacy before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), federal courts, and other governmental and industry policy forums.

From 1998–2004, Kelly was a principal with the Washington, D.C. law firm of Miller, Balis & O'Neil, P.C.  She represented cooperatively and publicly owned electric utilities and their trade associations, as well as other governmental entities, assisting them with restructuring-related issues before the FERC, federal appellate courts, and state public utility commissions.  From 1995–1998, Kelly served as the Senior Regulatory Counsel for the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA). She represented NRECA before the FERC, state public utility commissions and courts, and served as a liaison from NRECA to many industry groups. 

In March 2008 she was appointed to a one-year term on the U.S. Department of Energy’s Electricity Advisory Committee (EAC).  She served a second term on the EAC from June 2012 to April 2014.  In April 2010, Kelly was elected president of the Energy Bar Association.  In January 2015, she was selected to serve as an associate member on the Commodity Futures Trading Commission’s Energy and Environmental Markets Advisory Committee.  She is also a member of the E Source Advisory Board.

Kelly is a frequent speaker on energy-related topics.  She has given presentations to many industry groups, including the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners, the Organization of PJM States, Inc., the National Association of State Utility Consumer Advocates, the Energy Bar Association, the American Bar Association, the American Antitrust Institute, the E Source Forum, and the Harvard Electricity Policy Group.  She has also appeared before federal and state administrative agencies, and testified before committees of the U.S. Congress and state legislatures. 

Kelly was named one of Washington’s “Most Powerful Women” in the November 2015 issue of Washingtonian magazine in the “Business, Labor, and Lobbying” category.

Kelly earned her J.D. degree with high honors from the George Washington University in 1980, and her A.B. degree in Honors Interdisciplinary Studies and Economics, magna cum laude, from the University of Missouri in 1977.

Jack N. Gerard is president and CEO of the American Petroleum Institute, the national trade association that represents all aspects of America’s oil and natural gas industry.

Mr. Gerard has led API since November 2008, expanding its membership and influence in all 50 states and globally, with offices in Dubai, Singapore, Beijing, and Rio de Janeiro. API's Washington presence is the foundation for the oil and natural gas industry's advocacy and outreach at state, federal and global levels on public policy, standards and certification programs, and as the source for information on industry best practices. Currently, API’s mobilization program is a more than 40 million strong advocacy nationwide network that can mobilize supporters in all 50 states and in 435 congressional districts.

As the industry's national trade association, API has more than 625 members. They range from the largest major oil company to the smallest of independents and represent all segments of the industry.

Mr. Gerard is recognized by numerous publications and his peers as one of Washington's most influential advocates, including Washington Life magazine, which named him one of the city's "Power 100."

Prior to joining API, Mr. Gerard served as president and CEO of the American Chemistry Council, and earlier held the same position at the National Mining Association. Mr. Gerard also spent close to a decade working in the U.S. Senate and House. He came to Washington in 1981, and worked for Rep. George Hansen. He also worked for Sen. James A. McClure, who chaired the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee.

Sen. McClure retired in 1990, and Mr. Gerard joined him in founding McClure, Gerard & Neuenschwander, Inc., a Washington, D.C.-based government relations consulting firm. Mr. Gerard served as chairman and chief executive officer and focused on issues such as international sports, telecommunications, energy and mining.

He serves on the Advisory Board and is a past chairman of the National Capital Area Council - Boy Scouts of America, is a board member and former co-chair of The George Washington University’s Graduate School of Political Management, and is chairman of the board of directors for the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute.

Mr. Gerard was born and grew up in Idaho. He holds a bachelor’s degree in political science and a juris doctor from George Washington University. Mr. Gerard lives in Virginia with his wife, Claudette. They have eight children, including twin boys the family adopted from Guatemala.